CLOSE to 1,300 participants ranging from beginners, to advance and elite runners joined what organizers said was the biggest environmental run in the city so far.
Dubbed as “Olongapo River Run 2017” under the flagship project “Making Riverth Possible,” the event held on Sept. 17 aims to spread environmental awareness among residents.

“This is the first environmental run the city organized, and we are very happy with the turnout with less than a month of preparation. Our long-term goal here is to spread good habits about taking care of our environment, starting with members of our young generations who will eventually be our future,” said Olongapo City Mayor Rolen Paulino.

NEW LIFESTYLE
At the same time, Paulino pointed out to the runners the features of the track where the run started.

“Ngayon hindi na kayo hihikain ‘pag tumakbo kayo dito sa East Tapinac Oval Track, o lulubog sa putik ‘pag tag-ulan, o matatapilok dahil sa maliit at malalaking bato na tatapakan n’yo. Bagong gawa na siya; green na green ang damo, rubberized ang track at malinis. Ang pakiusap ko lamang ay panatilihin nating malinis ang lugar na ito,” Paulino told the participants.

A total of 630 runners joined the 2.5-km race, while 354 participated in the 5-km run and 254 in the 10-km category.

Environmental Task Force head Anthony Bayarong explained that the preparation for the race was short, but that it gained a lot of participants.

“We only had three weeks to prepare for this and we were expecting around 300 to 350 runners. We were surprised with the outcome and this only proves that residents support the city’s push to revive the river that has long been neglected,” he said.

MORE EVENTS
Bayarong added that the River Run 2017 is only one part of a series of environmental events set here.

The task force has also conducted school tours wherein members taught proper segregation of trash to students, and held a recyclable regatta race a day ahead of the river run.

A total of 29 boats made of recyclable materials raced one another during the recyclable regatta. Barangay Barretto clinched the title in the race, while Harbor Point finished second and Barangay Kalaklan placed third in the open division.
In the school category, Kalaklan Elementary School topped the regatta while Columban Main finished second and Mabayuan Senior High settled for third place.

Top photo: Participants in the “Olongapo River Run 2017” pause for a groufie with Mayor Rolen Paulino before the race